Liturgical Ministries

The mission of all Liturgical
Ministries of the parish is toacknowledge God’s presence in our preparation andcelebration of the liturgy and to
facilitate the prayer of the assembly.Through thecoordinated efforts of all
ministers, the Eucharistic Liturgy is enhanced and the assembly experiences
being the Body of Christ as they worship God together.Parish catechesis in liturgy and
the sacraments, theology, and formation of liturgical ministers are important
components of this mission.Individuals are asked to pray and discern the one
liturgical ministry in which they will serve the community:Altar
Server, Extraordinary Ministerof Holy Communion during theLiturgy,
Extraordinary Ministerof Holy Communion to the Sick/Homebound, Lector, Music
Minister, and Usher. All liturgical ministers are required to participate in
training sessions before participation. In addition, ministers are strongly
encouraged to attend a yearly retreat/training session to refresh and update
their ministry.Using the Parish internet-basedMinistry
Web Terminal Scheduling Program, ministers update their profiles, determine
their availability and their frequency of ministering. Other
important liturgical ministries aretheAltar Linen Caretakers, the Flower Committee and the
Sacristans.﻿﻿﻿Altar Servers﻿﻿﻿Altar Servers prepare the altar
for the celebration oftheliturgy and assist the Presider during the liturgy. Anyone,
4th grade and older, is eligible. Typically, the time commitment will be
service at one Mass monthly. Servers are usually assigned to the Mass they
ordinarily attend, but this may vary depending on the number of altar servers.Altar Server CoordinatorThe Altar Server Coordinator
assists in training new servers, in assigning servers for funerals and
weddings, and in preparing servers for special Masses.LectorsLectors proclaim the Scriptures
at all liturgical celebrations in a manner that enables the assembly to
understand and appreciate thebeauty and rich content of the Word of God.They carry the Book of Gospels to
the altar during the entrance procession, proclaimthe First Reading, the Second
Reading, andleadthe General Intercessions. Those seeking to participate
must have received all three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation,
and First Eucharist. Ordinarily, the time commitment will be monthly but may
vary depending on the number of lectors.Extraordinary Ministers of
Holy CommunionThe Bishop, priest, and deacon
are the ordinary ministers of the Eucharist. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion are members of the lay faithful who are recommended by the Pastor and
appointed by the Bishop to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ to a
specific Parish community for a period of three years. Those seeking to
participate must have received the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism,
Confirmation, and First Eucharist.Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion during the Massjoin the Presider in distributing
the Body and Blood of Christ to the assembly during liturgies. The time
commitment will be monthly, but may vary depending on the number of Eucharistic
Ministers.Extraordinary Ministers of
Holy Communion to the Sick & Homeboundare confirmed adult members of
the community who bring the Eucharist and “the Parish” to the sick confined to
homes and Chestnut Hill Hospital.Extraordinary Ministers of
Holy Communion to Nursing Homes - Two-person teams visit the five
area nursing homes on a weekly basis to pray the rosary and distribute Holy
Communion to those able to attend a group session, and to those confined to
their rooms. A monthly Mass is offered at each residence.UshersUshers provide a welcoming
presence and sense of hospitality. They are custodians of order, serving at the
weekend liturgies as well as major feast days. They welcome and assist with
seating parishioners, facilitate the presentation of the gifts, assist with the
collection(s), and assist with the communion procession. After Mass, the ushers
tidy up the Church by picking up loose prayer books and bulletins, placing lost
items in the Church lost and found, and ensuring doors and windows are closed.
Altar Linen Caretakers - Altar Linen Caretakers wash and
iron all linens used during liturgies and baptisms. The linens are picked up on
Sunday and returned during the week. Instructions are provided for the proper
care of the linens. Caretakers work on their own time. Frequency depends
on the number of caretakers.Flower CommitteeThe Flower Committee’s mission is to attend to the Church environment, preparing our worship space to reflect the Liturgical Seasons and foster our prayer and reflection on the beauty of God in creation. The time commitment varies throughout the year, increasing for the Seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter, special Feasts, and important occasions in the life of the parish.SacristansSacristans are high school studentsor adultswho prepare the vessels for the Eucharistic Celebration, set the altar, light candles and make sure that all is in order for the celebration of Mass. Funeral Sacristan- Minister of ConsolationMinisters of Consolation prepare all necessary items that are used during the Funeral Mass and assist the priest (greeter, usher, lector, Eucharistic Minister) as needed. After the Mass, the Minister of Consolation ensures that the vessels are purified and that the Church is locked.Eucharistic AdorationEucharistic Adoration is held on First Fridays, beginning immediately after the 7 AM Mass and continuing until 6 PM in the Oblate Chapel. Parishioners sign up for an hour of silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. According to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, “…The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious in Heaven, and will bring about everlasting peace on earth.” Adoration provides a structured time schedule for one to grow in God’s love and to intercede for one’s own intentions and for the entire OMC Parish community, the church, and the world.